Tag Archives: Friday

The Muslim call to prayer sounded out over Christchurch and around New Zealand on Friday, as thousands gathered to remember the 50 people killed by a lone gunman at two mosques a week ago.

Following is the text of the sermon given by Imam Gamal Fouda of the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch.

First Sermon (Khutbah):

Last Friday I stood in this mosque and saw the hatred and the rage in the eyes of the terrorist who killed and martyred 50 innocent people, wounded 42, and broke the hearts of millions around the world.

Today from the same place I look out and I see the love and compassion in the eyes of thousands of fellow New Zealanders and human beings from across the globe, that fill the hearts of millions more who are not with us physically, but in spirit.

This terrorist sought to tear our nation apart with an evil ideology that has torn the world apart. But instead we have shown that New Zealand is unbreakable, and that the world can see in us an example of love and unity.

We are broken hearted, but we are not broken. We are alive. We are together. We are determined to not let anyone divide us. We are determined to love one another, and to support each other.

This evil ideology of white supremacy did not strike us first, yet it struck us hardest. The number of people killed is not ordinary, but the solidarity in New Zealand is extra ordinary.

To the families of the victims, your loved ones did not die in vain. Their blood has watered the seeds of hope. Through them, the world will see the beauty of Islam, and the beauty of our unity.

And Allah the Almighty says “do not say of those who have been killed in the way of Allah that they are dead, they are alive rejoicing with their Lord.”

They were the best of us, taken from us on the best of days, in the best of places and performing the best of actions.

And they are not just martyrs of Islam, but they are martyrs for this nation.

Our loss of you, is a gain to New Zealand’s unity and strength.

Your departure is an awakening not just for our nation, but for all humanity.

Your martyrdom is a new life for New Zealand and a chance of prosperity for many.

Our assembly here, with all the shades of our diversity is a testament of our joint humanity.

We are here in our hundreds and thousands unified for one purpose – That hate will be undone, and love will redeem us.

We are taught by our Prophet Muhammed peace and blessings be upon him that you can never truly show gratitude to the Almighty God, if you are incapable of thanking your fellow man.

To the people of New Zealand – Thank you.

Thank you for your tears.

Thank you for your Haka.

Thank you for your flowers.

Thank you for your love and compassion.

To our prime minister – thank you.

Thank you for your leadership, it has been a lesson for the world’s leaders.

Thank you for holding our families close and honoring us with a simple scarf.

Thank you for your words and tears of compassion.

Thank you for being one with us.

Thank you to the New Zealand government and to all the wonderful people who have shown us that we matter and are not forgotten.

Thank you to our police force and front-line services.

You put our lives before your own every day.

Thank you to the neighbors who opened their doors to save us from the killer.

Thank you to those who pulled over their cars to help us.

Thank you to those who brought us food and held us when we found it difficult to stand.

Thank you New Zealand for teaching the world what it means to love and care.

To my brothers and sisters, those who are here today to perform the weekly Friday prayer.

Thank you for coming together once again. It is easy to feel lost after the trauma you and I experienced. But the promise of Allah made to us is true:

“Give glad news to the patient – Those who when afflicted they say, To Allah we all belong, and to Him we shall return. They are those upon whom God’s Mercy descends”.

Thank you for your strength and your forgiveness. Thank you for your anger that is restrained and for your mercy that is over-flowing.

Thank you for your steadfastness and standing tall when many others would fall.

Second Sermon (Khutbah)

Islamophobia KILLS. Muslims have felt its pain for many years. It has killed before in Canada and its brutality was used against teens in Norway and against innocent Muslims in the U.K., USA and other countries around the world.

Islamophobia is REAL. It is a targeted campaign to influence people to dehumanize and irrationally fear Muslims.

To fear what we wear. To fear the choice of food we eat. To fear the way we pray and to fear the way we practice our faith.

We call upon governments around the world to bring an end to hate speech and the politics of fear.

The martyrdom of 50 innocent people and the injury of 42 last Friday did not come over night. It was the result of the anti-Islamic and anti-Muslim rhetoric by some political leaders, some media agencies and others.

Last week’s event is proof and evidence to the entire world that terrorism has no color, has no race and has no religion.

The rise of white supremacy and right-wing extremism is a great global threat to mankind AND THIS MUST END NOW!

I want to take this opportunity to thank my Muslim and non-Muslim brothers and sisters for attending today and I would also like to thank our international guests who are with us and had come to our support and aid in these difficult times and moments.

SUPPLICATION (DUA’A)

O’ Allah have mercy upon us all.

O’ Allah have mercy upon those who were massacred last week.

O’ Allah grant them the highest level of paradise.

O’ Allah grant the injured a speedy recovery and grant the families of the victims patience.

O’ Allah grant our nation and country New Zealand peace, security and protect it and its people from all evils.

The hadith related by Hakim and Bayhaqi, from Abu Sa`id (Allah be pleased with him), “Whoever recites Surat al-Kahf on Friday, light shall shine forth for him between the two Fridays”. [Ibn Hajar, Talkhis al-Habir]

Hazrat Al Baraa said that when a man was reciting Surah Kahf with a horse tied with two ropes at one side. Suddenly a cloud overshadowed him, and as it began to come nearer and nearer, his horse began to take fright. He went and mentioned it to the Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam in the morning and he said, “That was tranquillity which came down by reason of the Qur’aan.”

Hazrat Abu Darda radiyallahu anhu reported Allah’s Messenger sallallahu alaihe wasallam saying, “Anyone who reads the first three verses of Surah Kahf, he will be protected from the trial of the Dajjal (Anti-Christ).” (Tirmizi)

Rasulullah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said:
“Friday is the “mother” of all days and the most virtuous in the sight of Allah Ta’ala. In the sight of Allah Ta’ala it has more greatness than Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Ad’haa. ”
(Imam Ibn Majah)

Rasulullah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “Of all the days, Friday is the most virtuous. It is on this day that the trumpet will be blown. Send abundant durood upon me on Fridays because they are presented to me on that day. ” The Sahabah radiallahu anhum asked: “O Rasulullah! How will they be presented to you when even your bones will not be present after your death?” Rasulullah (Allah bless him & give him peace) replied: “Allah Ta’ala has made the earth haraam upon the prophets forever . ” (Abu Dawud)

Rasulullah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said:
“Friday is the best of days. It was on this day that Hadrat Aadam alayhis salaam was created, it was on this day that he was granted entry into jannah, it was on this day that he was removed from jannah (which became the cause for man’s existence in this universe, and which is a great blessing), and the day of resurrection will also take place on this day.”
(Sahih Muslim)

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘The sins are remitted between the five prayers, one Jumu’ah Salaah to another Jumu’ah Salaah and Ramadhaan to Ramadhaan as long as no major sins are committed.’ (Muslim)

Abu Hurairah (RA) said that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘Whoever makes a perfect Wudhu, then attends the Jumu’ah proceedings, listens attentively to the sermon delivered and observes total silence, he will be pardoned until the next Jumu’ah Salaah, along with an additional three days.’ (Muslim)

Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘Aas narrates that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘There are three categories of people. One category goes to the Jumu’ah prayer and engages in frivolous activities. That will be their share. Another goes to the Jumu’ah prayer and supplicates to Allah. If Allah decides, he will be granted or not granted what he asks for. Another goes to the Jumu’ah prayer and observes total silence, he does not obstruct the gathering by jumping over them, and he does not harm anyone. He will be forgiven until the following Jumu’ah along with three extra days. This is because Allah says, ‘Whoever does a good deed, it will be multiplied ten times.’ (Abu Dawood, Ibne Khuzaimah)

Abu Moosa Al-Ash’ari (RA) narrates that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘The days of the week will be brought forward on the day of Reckoning in their original forms and the day of Jumu’ah will come in the form of a brilliant rose. Those people who observed the sanctity of this day will surround it as the bridegroom is surrounded when she is being taken to her private quarters. It will illuminate for them so that they are able to walk in its light. They will be white as ice in colour. They will small like musk. They will be plunging in mountains of Kaafoor. The creation will be looking at them. They will not be looking around out of astonishment until they enter Paradise. Only those (sincere) Mu’azzins (the one who calls the Azaan) who only seek the reward of Allah will mix with them.’ (Ibne Khuzaimah)

Anas (RA) narrates that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘The day and night of Jumu’ah adds up to twenty four hours. There is no moment in this day except that Allah emancipates six hundred people from the fire of Hell.’ Some narrators increase the statement, ‘Every one of them was doomed to Hell.’ (Abu Ya’laa)

Abu Lubabah bin Abdul Mundhir (RA) relates that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘Certainly the day of Jumu’ah is the best of days and most superior in the eyes of Allah. Its superiority supersedes the day of Eid ul Adhaa and Eid ul Fitr. There are five characteristics of this day. Allah created Adam (AS) on the day of Jumu’ah, He was brought down to the earth by Allah on the day of Jumu’ah, Adam (AS) passed away on this day, in it lies a moment that if the servant asks anything of Allah and his supplication coincides with that moment, Allah grants him whatever he asks for, as long as he does not ask for something which is Haraam, and the day of Reckoning will be on this day. There is no close angel of Allah, no heaven, no earth, no wind, no mountain and no sea except they love the day of Jumu’ah.’ (Ahmad, Ibne Majah)

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘The best day that the sun has risen upon is the day of Friday. Adam (AS) was created in it, he entered Paradise in it and he was taken out of Paradise in it.’ (Muslim)

Abu Hurairah (RA) said that Nabi (SAW) said: “The sun does not rise or set on a better day than the day of Jumu’ah and there is no creature apart from Jinns and mankind except they panic (are terrified) on this day of Jumu’ah.” (Ibne Khuzaimah, Ibne Hibbaan)

On one Friday, Rasulullah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: “O Muslims! Allah Ta’ala has made this day a day of eid . So have a bath on this day, whoever has perfume should apply it, and use the miswaak. ” (Ibn Majah)

“There is such an hour on Friday that if any Muslim makes dua in it, his dua will definitely be accepted. ”
[Bukhari, Muslim]

The ulama have differed in specifying that hour which has been mentioned in the Hadith. Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlawi rahmatullahialayh has mentioned 40 different opinions in his book Sharh Sifrus Sa’aadah. However, from among all these opinions he has given preference to two opinions:
(1) That time is from the commencement of the khutbah till the end of the salaat,
(2) That time is towards the end of the day.

A big group of ulama have given preference to this second opinion and there are many Ahadith which support this opinion. Shaykh Dehlawi rahmatullahialayh says that this narration is correct that Hadrat Fatimah radiallahuanha used to order her maid on Fridays to inform her when the day is about to end so that she could occupy herself in making zikr and duas. (Ash’atulLama’aat)